Every year when Christmas season rolls around, we sing Christmas carols, which are essentially Christian hymns that celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Christmas carol season is brief, just a few weeks each year. So, it’s understandable that the playlist is limited. Most everybody knows the usual suspects: Joy to the World; The First Noel; Silent Night; Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; O Come, All Ye Faithful.

But there are other beautiful carols, less familiar to most people, that deserve to be known, learned and sung. Over the next few days, I want to share a few.

The Wexford Carol originated in Ireland, and dates to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest European carols. There are many tradtions about it, including one that insisted that it should be sung only by men.